University to streamline and enhance emergency preparedness

Posted March 18, 2013; 03:15 p.m.

by Martin Mbugua, Office of Communications

Princeton University will begin a comprehensive review of its emergency response plans and procedures to streamline operations and enhance coordination of resources on campus in collaboration with external agencies.

"The plans and procedures developed with individual departments and offices have been reviewed and updated regularly over the years, and this comprehensive review will enable us to harness our collective resources and expertise," said Treby Williams, assistant vice president for safety and administrative planning.

The process will include seeking ways to refine plans and protocols related to general emergency preparedness, advance the development of business continuity plans within departments, and make recommendations to enhance the allocation of emergency planning and response responsibilities among departments.

Princeton University is reviewing its emergency response plans and procedures to streamline operations and enhance coordination of resources on campus in collaboration with external agencies. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Public Safety)

The project will be facilitated by Rhonda Hospedales, who has been appointed to the new position of associate director for emergency preparedness planning in the Office of the Executive Vice President. In her previous University position of senior human resources manager, Hospedales worked closely with departments across campus, including the Department of Public Safety, Facilities and Environmental Health and Safety.

"I am very pleased to be moving into this new role and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues throughout the University," Hospedales said. "I have developed strong working relationships within the key offices involved with emergency preparedness, so I'll hit the ground running."

Prior to joining Princeton, Hospedales worked as an attorney in the U.S. Virgin Islands in both the private and public sectors. In her role as in-house counsel for a public utility company, Hospedales worked extensively with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials in preparing for natural disasters.

"We've made equipment upgrades, adopted new technologies and experienced major weather events in recent years, so it's an opportune time to to refine our plans and procedures as well as to enhance collaboration and efficiency," Williams said. "Rhonda's analytical, problem-solving and project management skills will play a significant role in facilitating this process, and I am very pleased that she has accepted the new position."